It’s that bleak time of year when the sun goes down far too early, clouds loom overhead, and it’s just a little too cold outside. While it’s tempting to crank up the heat, plug in the heated blanket, and maybe even get the fireplace up and running it’s important to think about how much all of that can cost. Within a month you could easily double your heating costs, and although comfort is essential to being happy in your home, nobody wants to be shoveling out $250+ a month for heating. So, how can you live comfortably, warm, and cozy in your home without driving your energy costs sky high and through the roof?

With a little planning, forethought, and compromise you can actually save on energy costs during the winter, without feeling like you’re living in a tundra!

Use A Space Heater | If you’re an individual and tend to sit in one room at a time it might be a good idea to lower your heat to around 50 or 60 degrees and use a space heater to heat the room you’re in. Remember to purchase an Energy Star rated space heater and unplug it when you leave the house.

Buy a Programmable Thermostat | Programmable thermostats are incredibly affordable and allow you to schedule the heating and cooling in your house. You can schedule it to push lower temperatures when you aren’t home and increase the temperature before you get home. This saves loads of money because it allows you to avoid constantly running the furnace at one temperature.

Bubble Wrap Your Windows | Bubble wrap allows you to create hundreds of tiny air pockets that conserve energy and help maintain a more constant temperature in the room. Installation literally takes a mere 15 seconds and can be done by anyone! Learn how to bubble wrap your windows. And, the great thing about this method is you save energy, without blocking the sunlight.

Dress Warm | It sounds like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many people decide to wear simple t-shirts around their house in the winter. By layering a few pieces of clothing and popping on a cozy pair of socks you’ll be able to lower your thermostat, save money, and stay warm.

Work Out | Yep, it’s a drag, but it’s the best way to keep your body healthy and blood flowing. As a result you’ll find that you actually stay warmer in cold temperatures and have more energy. Even 20 minutes a day can make a difference. You might even find that you shed a few pounds.

Everybody has their own ways of saving a few bucks on energy costs. All of the above methods will cost less that $50, but could save you hundreds. How do you save energy? Share with us on Facebook.